A Regressor's Bucket List

Chapter 192 : Emily (4)

The Magitek Reactor.

I remember its exact name was some 28-character-long string like 'Mana Deceleration Boiling Light Water Pressure Tube blah blah blah,' but since reciting a full name I don't even understand is meaningless and impossible, I'll omit it.

In a word, its role was the core device capable of operating all Magitek equipment.

“Without this, even perfectly fine equipment is useless. The Mana Crystals for operating Magitek have a slightly different refining method than ordinary Magic Stones.”

Unlike the Guardian Train’s engine, which could use Magic Stones fresh from a monster, albeit with slightly reduced efficiency, the reactor’s Mana Crystals used a unique, irreplaceable refining method.

There were, of course, many reasons, but as Emily herself told me in my past life, the biggest reason seemed to be that generating enough high output to power all equipment required more precise and complex technology than one might think.

Clang-clang-

“Looks like it can be used for several more years?”

Emily mumbled, her eyes crinkling into a wide grin.

Soot stained her white lab coat in places, and dust clung to it from static electricity, but such things seemed to be of no concern to her.

Her face was already plastered with an expression of pure excitement.

Well, that was obvious.

Emily, encountering Magitek, was like a fish in water, but even more so, demonstrating a synergy beyond expectations.

“Not bored anymore?”

“Yes!”

The immediate reply popped out.

For me, there was no reason to refuse.

The achievements Emily would gain while researching here wouldn't just be limited to knowledge; the various Magitek items that would emerge as byproducts, even if I didn't know their exact purpose, would be helpful in some way.

However.

“Let’s see…”

I couldn't do it publicly.

From the outset, if it became known that Isaac Einstein's facility still existed, The Order would undoubtedly reclaim all the equipment here.

And if things went south, I couldn't guarantee I wouldn't get stuck with the blame in the process.

To prevent such a misfortune, I had to at least roughly plan things out from the beginning.

‘…First, UMC wouldn't just leave Emily alone.’

Although they had entrusted her management to me for the time being, it didn't mean UMC wouldn't take any measures.

After all, from The Order's perspective, she was the sole contributor who had brought Magitek this far, and considering her age was still Yakgwan, her future influence would be so significant it couldn't be expressed by mere numbers.

Moreover, if my thoughts were correct, UMC intended to use us as a primary filter to protect us from that certain organization.

Although they didn't explicitly say it, the very act of handing Emily over without any significant procedures was practically a declaration that they would intervene in any non-military aspects.

Of course, there wasn't ‘no’ way.

It was possible to reveal the existence of this place to UMC and request their cooperation.

But.

‘…Revealing this facility would be stirring up a hornet's nest.’

Even though I knew a certain amount about Ludwig Allegro, the head of UMC, that was too dangerous an idea.

His cooperation with me was always based on his calculation that there was something to gain.

In particular, while he made a show of it, that level of assistance was possible because he was confident he could cut ties at any time.

In short, it was an area where risk management was entirely possible.

However, when it came to this research facility, he was highly likely to draw a line.

Even Ludwig Allegro wouldn't want to get involved with the name Isaac Einstein.

The conclusion was.

‘…I have to hide it from everyone.’

It was a difficult task.

Both considering Emily's personality and the given circumstances.

But.

Given that I couldn't even confess the truth to The Order, the equipment was too precious to just leave alone.

Even more so, given that Emily's time here wasn't limitless.

I couldn't give up.

Somehow, I had to create an environment and a facade that would allow Emily to conduct her research while keeping it hidden from their eyes.

With my thoughts reaching that point, I approached the negotiating table.

“Emily.”

“Yes!”

“I’m sorry, but you can’t use the equipment here freely.”

“…Huh?”

Emily’s round, sparkling eyes filled with dismay at the thunderclap-like statement.

“These are somewhat dangerous pieces of equipment, and even though you’re a prodigy, the identity I confirmed says you’re not yet qualified.”

‘Flustered-!’

“From my perspective, I can’t grant permission. If an accident were to happen, I’d be the one taking the blame.”

Of course, I knew best that such a thing wouldn't happen.

Even though she was young, Emily possessed the most outstanding technical skills among all existing Magitech Engineers.

However, it was necessary to place restrictions to rein in her unique, wild personality and control her to some extent.

Continuing her research activities while avoiding UMC's eyes wasn't something that could be done by simply covering their eyes.

I had to control Emily, who was the most likely variable.

“……”

She seemed to have a lot to say, but Emily couldn't readily open her mouth.

Still, it seemed she was aware of UMC's gag order.

Leaving her to stammer and mouth silently, I turned my head to Jerry and spoke.

“…Since I can’t use them, I’ll have to sell them off somewhere.”

Wink-

“……?”

At first, Jerry frowned deeply, apparently flustered by the sudden wink.

Soon after, as if roughly grasping my intention, he replied in a low voice.

“…Is that so.”

“……”

“Then I’ll look into the black market.”

“Gasp!”

Along with Jerry’s brief reply, Emily’s almost-a-scream gasp was heard from behind.

Her face crumpled as if she couldn't believe the current situation.

“…No, I can’t. I have to do it…”

“No, you can’t.”

“Magitek… I’m bored.”

“Even if you beg, no. What’s not allowed is not allowed.”

“But…”

When Emily’s expression, gradually changing to something closer to pleading, was on the verge of tears.

I cautiously asked her.

“…Do you want to do it that much?”

“……!”

And as if sensing the change in atmosphere, she nodded vigorously.

“Can you listen well?”

Nod-nod-

“Then, as a test…”

Grin-

“Let’s start by making my weapon.”

* * *

I didn't know the exact manufacturing method.

It was a weapon she had created arbitrarily, and she said she had poured her all into it, but I hadn't witnessed the process myself, and complex fields like Magitek were always beyond my understanding.

However, as it was a weapon I had used for a long time, I knew its principles and characteristics.

And its general appearance.

“The back part should have a roughly sharp feel…”

On the condition that she would comply with any instruction I gave her while staying here, I granted her permission to use the Magitek equipment.

And so, her first research project began: recreating the weapon I had used in my past life.

Of course.

It would be an entirely unfamiliar weapon to her in this life, though.

Scribble-scribble-

As if drawing a criminal’s composite sketch.

Emily drew the picture according to the descriptions I gave.

“Like this?”

The process was more complex than I expected.

Was it because the design of a Magitek Firearm itself was complex, or was drawing a composite sketch inherently not an easy task?

Despite explaining what was in my head as precisely as possible, the resulting shapes were often different from what I envisioned.

Sometimes, completely unexpected and utterly different drawings would appear.

“No. That part should be rounder, to the extent that it looks straight from afar but you can feel the curve up close… And this part should be indented a bit more…”

“……”

“And this part, the bolt-like section, should be carved a bit more sharply.”

How many times did she have to scrap the design blueprint she had completed?

“Hmm…”

Emily, who had been frowning deeply, shook her head and presented a new design blueprint.

“Just try drawing it yourself.”

“Should I?”

Nod-

“I think that would be better.”

“I’m not particularly talented at drawing.”

“Still, give it a try. I can follow your drawing for the detailed blueprint. Just think of it as sketching the outline.”

“Alright. Then, I’ll try to draw it as close to actual size as possible.”

Following Emily’s words, I began to draw the shape of the firearm I remembered directly onto the grid paper of the design blueprint.

Scribble- scribble-

I already knew I had no talent for drawing.

But drawing a blueprint was even harder than I thought.

Nevertheless, I poured my heart into drawing the best picture I could.

And the completed drawing was.

“……”

“……”

“……”

It brought about a rather long silence from the three of us.

“…What on earth is this, Hero?”

In the midst of the silence, Eliya barely managed to collect herself and asked.

“…To me, it looks like a crow flying upside down with its head twisted.”

Jerry, who had been carefully examining the design blueprint, finally offered an answer after much deliberation.

“What do you mean ‘what is it’? I said it was a weapon earlier. This is much better than I worried it would be.”

“……”

“What did you expect, something amazing?”

“……”

“And what’s with the crow? How is this a crow?”

“…Isn’t this the beak, and this the body? It looks like a crow no matter how I look at it.”

A crow, of all things.

At the harsh assessment, I examined the drawing again, but to me, it still looked roughly similar.

It had a muzzle, a body, and a handle.

That should be enough, right?

But regardless of my opinion, the design blueprint I had drawn with such confidence was torn apart.

Emily, unable to bear it any longer, grabbed both corners of the blueprint and, with a ‘rip!’, tore it in half.

“I’ll just try making it first. Even if I don’t know the exterior, if I hold it, I think I can roughly figure out what principles are involved.”

“……”

“It’ll be much faster to make a prototype first and then refine it based on feedback.”

Having finished speaking, Emily began drawing the design blueprint again, thinking to herself.

Her brow, completely focused, was subtly furrowed as if something displeased her.

Chuckles-

To some, it might have looked like she was in a bad mood.

But that was Emily’s unique expression when she was most engrossed and enjoying herself the most.

It seemed her unexpected encounter with Magitek was a welcome one indeed.

“…Let’s go out.”

It seemed better to let her immerse herself alone for a while.